Mata Mata – Augrabies Falls National Park 120+260+120km Game drive 120km then off to Upington and Augrabies.

Overnight: Augrabies
Meals: B L D

Day 5

Augrabies – Karoo National Park
Depart to Karoo NP in the Great Karoo via dirt roads and the small towns, Kenhardt, Van Wyksvlei, Carnavon & Loxton to Beaufort West.

The Great Karoo landscape of which the Karoo National Park is but a small portion is the largest ecosystem in South Africa, the Karoo is home to a fascinating diversity of life, all having adapted to survive in these harsh conditions. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains and rolling plains, where many species that originally occurred here now occupy their former ranges.

The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife like black rhino and Cape buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. Large herbivores such as Red Hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Eland, Burchell’s and Hartmann’s Mountain zebra, kudu, springbok and Klipspringer are regularly seen. Carnivore species include caracal, bat-eared fox, Cape fox, aardwolf and African wildcat. The Park is also home to the endangered riverine rabbit. Over 20 breeding pairs of black eagle find sanctuary within the park. There is also a wide diversity of succulent plants and small reptiles.

Overnight: Karoo National Park chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 6

Karoo National Park
Full day game drive.

Overnight: Karoo National Park chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 7

Karoo National Park – Mountain Zebra National Park
We drive to the Cambdeboo NP near Graaff-ReinetT, which was formed millions of years ago, the Karoo of South Africa is one of the great natural wonders of the world. Camdeboo National Park covers 19 405 ha and surrounds the town of Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape and provides the visitor with insights into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Karoo, not to mention awesome scenic beauty in the Valley of Desolation where dolerite pillars rise to heights of 90 – 120 metres.

Camdeboo National Park supports a diverse spectrum of wildlife including Cape buffalo, Cape Mountain Zebra, kudu, red hartebeest, gemsbok, steenbok, springbok, blesbok, black wildebeest grey duiker, klipspringer and 13 smaller carnivore species. At least 225 bird species have been recorded in the park, with species typical of both the Great Karoo and Eastern region.

After a short game- and scenic drive through the park, continue to Mountain Zebra National Park. The Mountain Zebra National Park lies near Cradock in the Eastern Cape. The proclamation of the park in 1937 saved the Cape mountain zebra from extinction, and currently their population stands at 300 where they roam 28 412 hectares of land. Other mammals found here include the Cape buffalo, black rhino, eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, gemsbok, blesbok, springbok, duiker and steenbok while mountain reedbuck, grey rhebok and klipspringer frequent the higher areas and kudu the wooded valleys. Cheetah, Caracal and brown hyena are the larger carnivores in the Park.

Ostrich, Secretarybird, Blue Crane andLudwig’s Bustardare the larger more visible bird species and Verreaux’s (Black) and Martial EagleandJackal Buzzardare the most common larger raptor species. The park is home to various smaller species in different habitats including mountain plateau, wooded kloofs, acacia stands and grassland. Afternoon game drive.

Overnight: Mountain Zebra National Park chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 8

Mountain Zebra National Park – Addo Elephant National Park
Early morning game drive, then we depart to Addo Elephant National Park which covers 164 000 ha and lies within the dense valley bush veld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape. The Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven elephants remained in the area.

Today this finely tuned ecosystem is sanctuary to over 450 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo, 50 black rhino, lions, spotted hyenas, leopard, a variety of antelope species including eland, kudu, red hartebeest, bushbuck as well as the unique flightless dung beetle, found almost exclusively in Addo. Due to a variety of habitats Addo offers excellent birding opportunities. Addo National Elephant Park is in the process of expanding into a 360 000 ha mega-park, including a 120 000 ha marine reserve.

Overnight: Addo Main Rest Camp chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 9

Addo Elephant National Park Game drives.

Overnight: Addo Main Rest Camp chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 10

Addo Elephant National Park – Tsitsikamma National Park
Game drive at sunrise, then depart to Port Elizabeth. Continue along the Garden Route to the Tsitsikamma National Park ( place of much water) is situated near Plettenberg Bay in the Eastern Cape. The heartland of the park stretches some 6 km to sea, protecting a wonderland of inter-tidal life, reef and deep-sea fish and the gentle giant of the ocean, the southern right whale visits here, coming inshore to breed.

Tsitsikamma boasts a prolific world of intertidal life and reefs in its marine part, there is also the famous terrestrial part of the park with its lush forest, delicate fynbos and sheer cliffs. One of the most known trees is the Outeniqua yellow-wood, Podocarpus falcata.

Birding in Tsitsikamma offers a variety in choice of habitat. There is the open shoreline as typified by the environment at Storms River Rest Camp. There is the more sheltered water ways of the Nature’s Valley Lagoon and the Groot River. There is the forest experience of the Tsitsikamma Forest. Then there is the mountain fynbos one can explore in the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Soetkraal section. Go on relaxed walks.

Overnight: Storms River Rest Camp chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 11

Tsitsikamma National Park – Wilderness National Park
After an early morning walk (optional) we continue along the Garden Route to the Wilderness NP In the heart of South Africa’s famous Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains – all elements that characterise the Wilderness National Park. Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna lourie, or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. During spring, a carpet of flowers, further enhance the verdant beauty of this national park. Whales & dolphins are seen often from Dolphin Point.

The series of lakes connected by the Touw River (Eilandvlei, Langvlei and Rondevlei) host a variety of aquatic species and is an internationally proclaimed Ramsar site. The forested hillsides that surround the area are home to several raptors, including Cuckoo Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Forest Buzzard, Black andRufous-chested Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk. The park has several walking trails, several of which are named after kingfisher species and not without reason, as Brown-hooded, Malachite, Giant, PiedandHalf-collared can all easily spotted. Go on relaxed walks and drives according to clients’ interests.

Overnight: Ebb & Flow Camps chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 12

Wilderness National Park – Bontebok National Park
Today we drive to Bontebok National Park. Bontebok National Park lies in the Cape Floral Kingdom (a world heritage site) with the Langeberg Mountains providing a picturesque backdrop and the Breede River providing an idyllic western border. The Park is proud to promote its achievements in biodiversity conservation, from the endangered fynbos veld type, coastal Renosterveld to the namesake bontebok! Once these colourful antelope numbered a mere 17, and through effective management the present world population amounts to around 3000. Bontebok NP is home to 200 bontebok, the Cape Mountain Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok, Steenbok, Grysbok and smaller predators such as Caracal, Bat-Eared Fox, Cape Fox, Aardwolf, some mongoose species and the Cape clawless otter. The park is home to 200 bird species and larger species such as Denham’s (Stanley’s) Bustard. Blue Crane, Spur-wing Goose, Secretarybirdand Southern Black Korhaan are common. Go on relaxed walks and game drives.

Overnight: Lang Elsies Kraal Rest Camp chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 13

Bontebok National Park – De Hoop Nature Reserve
Early morning game drive then we depart to De Hoop Nature Reserve which falls in the Cape Floral Kingdom and is approximately 34 000 ha in size and situated in the Overberg region, near the southern tip of Africa. The adjacent De Hoop Marine Protected Area, which extends three nautical miles (5 km) out to sea, is one of the largest marine protected areas in Africa and provides a sanctuary for a vast and fascinating array of marine life and it is a favourite destination for whale watchers during the winter and early summer months, Marine mammals such as dolphins and seals occur in the waters off the coast and southern right whales calve and mate in the sheltered bays of De Hoop each year between May and December. Land mammals include the rare bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, as well as eland, grey rhebok, baboon, yellow mongoose, caracal and the occasional leopard. De Hoop is famous for its variety of resident and migratory bird species and more than 260 species have been recorded on the reserve. The De Hoop Vlei attracts large numbers of water birds. The only remaining breeding colony of the rare Cape vulture in the Western Cape occurs at Potberg. Go on relaxed walks and game drives.

Overnight: De Hoop Nature Reserve chalets
Meals: B L D

Day 14

De Hoop Nature Reserve – Cape Town
Early game drive, then depart to Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet( which falls within the Agulhas National Park) Amongst the mysteries associated with this region, is the legendary ‘Cape of Storms’ which wrecked many ships en route to the East. The second oldest working lighthouse in Southern Africa guards over the coastline and houses a unique lighthouse museum. This park hosts a variety of habitat types and great biodiversity as far as birds are concerned. The Southern Right Whales come to the bays to breed from August to November. End of tour.